By Karen Braynard
Correspondent

Dancing leaves photography by Thomas Berntsen is part of “Beyond the Garden Gate – Art Inspired by Nature” on display at Anderson-Soule Gallery in Concord. (Courtesy Photo)

Years ago Pam Tarbell, owner of the Mill Brook Gallery and Sculpture Garden, started “Fall for Art,” an annual program that brought Concord’s art talent to the forefront for residents and visitors to enjoy for a full weekend. Unfortunately, the event changed hands and over time was phased out.

As an art enthusiast, Tarbell felt Concord was still missing out on the experience of enjoying the talents of artists on display in many of the local galleries. So, last year she contacted Tim Sink, executive director of the Concord Chamber of Commerce, and together they formulated the Art Concord event.

Art Concord is a successful attempt to build awareness of the local talent. It has become so popular and well-attended that the program is expanding from three showing dates a year to four scheduled for 2007. The next scheduled event is on Friday, Oct. 13, with galleries open from 5 to 8 p.m.

The upcoming Art Concord features a total of nine galleries and alternative galleries.

“An alternative gallery,” Tarbell said, “is a location that is normally used for something else such as meetings or classrooms but where art is also on display.” These participating venues include The Franklin Pierce Law School, the Museum of New Hampshire History, St. Paul’s School and the New Hampshire Technical Institute.

The other Concord art galleries participating are the Mill Brook Gallery and Sculpture Garden, the Anderson-Soule Gallery, McGowan Fine Art, the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Gallery 205 and T. Devaney Fine Arts.

As an added cultural feature, the Petite Papillion ballet school will perform several times throughout the three-hour event at the Anderson-Soule and Mill Brook galleries. The choreographed dances are inspired by exhibits at these galleries. At the Anderson-Soule Gallery, the ballet dancers will interpret “Beyond the Garden Gate,” a painting series by Tom Berntsen and Paulette Werger.

Trish Anderson-Soule said Art Concord is open to everyone, with no pressure on viewers to purchase anything.

“The point is to help make Concord a hub for art appreciation as there is so much art and culture here in Concord,” she said. “There aren’t a lot of sales during Art Concord. It’s more of an awareness and sense of appreciation for the visual arts.”

It’s a good time for those who may feel intimidated about viewing art to step in and learn without the perceived pressure of visiting an art gallery.

During the event, visitors can pick and choose which galleries they want to attend. While it is possible to see all nine in the three-hour period, most people will select a handful that are located near one another. Maps of the event can be found at the Chamber of Commerce. And, a surprise to many, children are welcome and encouraged to participate. 

“This is a cultural event,” Tarbell said. “We want to help everyone gain an appreciation of the visual arts.”